arXiv subjects

Evans M. Harrell

Publications and source records attributed to Evans M. Harrell.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2007

On Riesz Means of Eigenvalues

In this article we prove the equivalence of certain inequalities for Riesz means of eigenvalues of the Dirichlet Laplacian with a classical inequality of Kac. Connections are made via integral transforms including those of Laplace, Legendre, Weyl, and Mellin, and the Riemann-Liouville fractional transform. We also prove new universal eigenvalue inequalities and monotonicity principles for Dirichlet Laplacians as well as certain Schrödinger operators. At the heart of these inequalities are calculations of commutators of operators, sum rules, and monotonic properties of Riesz means. In the course of developing these inequalities we prove new bounds for the partition function and the spectral zeta function (cf. Corollaries 3.5-3.7) and conjecture about additional bounds.

math.SP↗

arXiv2005

Inequalities for means of chords, with application to isoperimetric problems

We consider a pair of isoperimetric problems arising in physics. The first concerns a Schrödinger operator in $L^2(\mathbb{R}^2)$ with an attractive interaction supported on a closed curve $Γ$, formally given by $-Δ-αδ(x-Γ)$; we ask which curve of a given length maximizes the ground state energy. In the second problem we have a loop-shaped thread $Γ$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$, homogeneously charged but not conducting, and we ask about the (renormalized) potential-energy minimizer. Both problems reduce to purely geometric questions about inequalities for mean values of chords of $Γ$. We prove an isoperimetric theorem for $p$-means of chords of curves when $p \leq 2$, which implies in particular that the global extrema for the physical problems are always attained when $Γ$ is a circle. The article finishes with a discussion of the $p$--means of chords when $p > 2$.

math-ph↗

arXiv2004

Geometric lower bounds for the spectrum of elliptic PDEs with Dirichlet conditions in part

An extension of the lower-bound lemma of Boggio is given for the weak forms of certain elliptic operators, which have partially Dirichlet and partially Neumann boundary conditions, and are in general nonlinear. Its consequences and those of an adapted Hardy inequality for the location of the bottom of the spectrum are explored in corollaries wherein a variety of assumptions are placed on the shape of the Dirichlet and Neumann boundaries.

math.SP↗

arXiv2000

A direct proof of a theorem of Blaschke and Lebesgue

The Blaschke-Lebesgue Theorem states that among all planar convex domains of given constant width B the Reuleaux triangle has minimal area. It is the purpose of the present note to give a direct proof of this theorem by analyzing the underlying variational problem. The advantages of the proof are that it shows uniqueness (modulo rigid deformations such as rotation and translation) and leads analytically to the shape of the area-minimizing domain. Most previous proofs have relied on foreknowledge of the minimizing domain. Key parts of the analysis extend to the higher-dimensional situation, where the convex body of given constant width and minimal volume is unknown.

math.MG↗

arXiv1999

Optimal eigenvalues for some Laplacians and Schrödinger operators depending on curvature

This article is an expanded version of the plenary talk given by Evans Harrell at QMath98, a meeting in Prague, June 1998. We consider Laplace operators and Schrödinger operators with potentials containing curvature on certain regions of nontrivial topology, especially closed curves, annular domains, and shells. Dirichlet boundary conditions are imposed on any boundaries. Under suitable assumptions we prove that the fundamental eigenvalue is maximized when the geometry is round. We also comment on the use of coordinate transformations for these operators and mention some open problems.

math-ph↗